Dear YIW members

I have tried to clarify the status of the Kashrut at Morrell Caterers in both Woodbury and Lawrence.Many of our members have booked parties there and therefore it is important to try to clarify matters regarding the Kosher supervision at both places ASAP. Of course, if there are further developments that change the conclusions of this email, I will keep you posted as soon as I can.

The Lawrence operation has both a Glatt and non Glatt operation. Only the Glatt operation is supervised by the Vaad Hakashrut of Flatbush. The Glatt ovens as well as Glatt utensils are all stored under lock and key with secured hasps when  not being used. All stove tops and sinks are kashered before each Glatt job. There is also a video camera system which monitors the kitchen at all times. The Vaad of Flatbush assures us that that it is impossible for anything other than reliably Kosher food to be cooked on their utensils in Lawrence.

In Woodbury the caterer is exclusively Glatt Kosher under the Vaad Hakashrut of Flatbush with the exact same locking system and video system. It is impossible to use the kitchen in Woodbury unless there is a Vaad supervised Glatt Kosher job being done. There are a series of permanent Mashgichim always present when cooking is done in each place.

I then checked with independent trustworthy sources in Flatbush not connected to the Vaad of Flatbush who acknowledged that with such safeguards, there is no reason to be concerned about the reliability of the Kashrut for Glatt Kosher Vaad supervised affairs in Lawrence or any food shipped out of the Lawrence commissary under Vaad supervision. No food can enter Woodbury or can be prepared in Woodbury unless it is reliably Kosher.

Therefore, at present, it is my opinion that the Vaad Hakashrut of Flatbush hashgacha in both Lawrence and Woodbury is trustworthy and you need not be concerned about using either place from a Kashrut point of view.

Respectfully yours,

Rabbi Hershel Billet